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Vol. V.]

Retrofpect of German Literature:--Medicine.

erc. page 42), has been, in great meafure, fulfilled by this careful collection, though it is far from being fo complete as to require no further improvements; but, upon the whole, Mr. V.'s induftry and accuracy cannot be difputed by in partial judges. Another demonftration of the pe uliar diligence of the Germans, in this department, is "The Archiv (Magazine) for Pure and Practical Mathematics;" edited by G., F. HINDENBERG, at Leipzig. Of this we have feen the fixth number, which is filled with feveral valuable effays, written by the following eminent mathematicians, namely, HENNERT, KLÜGEL, BUZEN GLIGER, KÄSTNER, FISCHER, ROTHE, and LüDICKE. We cannot conclude this article without pointing out a work which promises to afford great fatisfaction to every lover of literature; viz. "The literary Hiftory of the mathematical Sciences; Vol. I. containing the Literature of Mathematics in general, of Arithmetic, and Geometry:" or, with a Latin title," Bibliotheca Mathematica, auctore F. Gu. A. MURHARD, Vol. I. continens Scripta generalia de Mathefi, de Arithmetica, & Geometria." Befides the fyftematic catalogue of books, chronologically arranged in every branch of mathematics, the editor has carefully abridged the criticifms, that have from time to time appeared in the German as well as in the foreign reviews.

JURISPRUDENCE.

In this department we find but a few books which can intereft the English reader. That Germany has produced great lawyers, fuch as PUFFENDORF, WOLFIUS, PUTTER, and many others cannot be denied; but the public and private law of that country being national in fpirit and form, it would be an unprofitable talk to introduce any other than fuch works as treat upon general principles. Of this nature is "The Library of Criminal Jurifprudence, and the Knowledge of Law in general," by Dr. C. GROLMAN. No fcience has a great er influence on the welfare or deftruction of fociety, than that of criminal law; and yet it is perhaps the most unfettled in theory, as well as the moft wavering in practice. With the benevolent intention of removing thefe obftacles, and of advancing a step farther than his predeceffors have done, the fame author has very lately published The Principles of Criminal Law, together with a fyftematic View of the Criminal Law of Germany," 1798, PP. 500, octavo. In this

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excellent treatife Dr. G. not only exhi→ bits the fpirit of the positive law, according to the German conftitution, but he alfo unfolds in a complete and perfpicu ous manner the whole fyftem of law, by reducing it to the clear and tenable principles of the law of punishment in general. In

MEDICINE

we find the Germans more bufily employed than in any other department. Every branch of medicine is cultivated among them with uncommon ardour; and anatomy, in particular, has of late years been fuccessfully ftudied. There is, perhaps, no medical man in this country who is unacquainted with the works and merits of WALTER, SÖMMERING, LEBER, MECKEL, LODER, METZGER, and many other celebrated anatomifts of the prefent day in Germany. One of the latest publications is "SAM. THOM. SOMMERING Tabula Sceleti feminini, jun&ta Defcriptione; fol. roy." By this table the learned profeffor has endeavoured to fill up a chafm in anatomy, that has exifted ever fince the appearance of the masterly plates of ALBINUS, which exhibit the male keleton. And though. the female skeleton by Sömmering be not, in every refpect, equal to that by Albinus, it is nevertheless a valuable acceffion to the latter work. In phyfiology and pathology feveral excellent works have lately been published, of which we must notice Prof. SPRENGEL'S " General Pathology," in three volumes, octavo,' and Prof. REIL's book, "On the Knowledge and Cure of Fevers;" the first part of which contains the general doctrine of fevers, in 580 pages, octavo. The former work renders that of GAUBIUS, on the fame fubject, obfolete: the latter is the production of a man who neither involves himself in theories, or fubtle hypothefes, nor wishes to explain every thing by explaining nothing; but it is the work of a phyfician, who, through many new and fertile ideas, discovers a genuine philofophic fpirit, who, after a long experience, only wishes to theorize, wha confeffes, with modefty, that much remains to be explained, and whofe acknowledged merits, in medical science, receive additional luftre from this valuable publication. The fame author continues to publish the "Phyfiological Magazine," begun in 1796, of which two volumes have been completed. Of this publication we can only fay, that the firit medical characters in Germany fupport it by their correfpondence; and that it is ch.efly

defigned

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Retrospect of German Literature.-Divinity.

defigned as a repofitory for promoting a more extenfive inveftigation, and a more accurate analysis of the laws by which animal bodies act. "The Outlines of a Syftem of Nofology," by Dr. W. G. PLOUSQUET, deferve to be read with attention by every medical ftudent. The author of this book is well known in the literary world, by his "Repertorium Medico-Practicum," which is now near its conclufion, as the 9th volume of it, in quarto, is in the prefs, and another volume will probably conclude it. "On the Confultations of Phyficians at the Pa. tients Bed, and upon their relative Duties in general," by J. STIEGLITZ, is an ingenious and well-written treatise. But the curious phenomenon on the German horizon, is, "The Examination of the Brunonian Syftem of Medicine, by the Teft of Experience, at the Bed-fide of Patients," edited by Dr. A. F. MARCUS, Erft physician in the infimary at Bamberg. We purpofely refrain from faying any thing for or against the application of Bruno's paradoxical tenets to the practice of medicine; we fhall, however, remark, that the Germans look upon every new discovery or invention, proceeding from this country, with much veneration, which feems, as it were, to fetter their inquifitive minds, and make them the dupes of our bold adventurers. It is further worthy of notice, that the laf publication by Dr. M. is of a periedical kind, and that he propofes to con tinue it every three months. The laft medical publication we fhall mention, is not lefs deferving of notice: "The Medical National Gazette of Germany," begun in January laft, and fupported by a great number of refpectable phyficians; this paper is intended as a vehicle, or point of union, through which medical men may have a fair and conftant oppor tunity of communicating their reciprocal opinions. As fpeculative matters form no part of the editor's plan, there is no doubt but a work of this nature will be of real and extenfive utility.

DIVINITY.

Formerly this was a flourishing branch of ftudy among the Germans; but it is now in a rapid decline, if we except biblical criticism and exegefis. Controverfial, and particularly, fymbolical writings, are almoft exploded by the more captivating (though not lefs abftrufe) inquiries, carrying on with great vigour by the * Critical Philofopbers.' With the hoary Profeffor KANT at their head, they have nearly expelled the arrogant and 'odious

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fyftem of dogmatism, at least, from the proteftant fchools. It is not our province to decry either the one or the other of the prevailing fyftems; but it will afford pleasure to every friend of fcience, when he learns, that man no longer fubmits to be ruled by myfterious and arbitrary doctrines, which are neither calculated to make him happier, wifer, or better. Let the terrorist and alarmist keep up the bue and cry against reafon, as long as they may; this powerful goddess will ultimately prevail. It is not philofophy, as they are pleased to ftyle it, which produces infidelity, anar chy, and confufion; it is a false system of philofophy, that converts man into a fenfual and felfifh being, To return to the fubject of Theology, we cannot help remarking, that, within these few years, the German divines breathe a very different fpirit from that lately manifefted in Great Britain. Religious perfecution is every where derefted, and their pulpits are not profaned by political digreffions." Religion, a Concern of Man," is a late production of the venerable SPALDING, confiftory counsellor Berlin, and now 84 years of age. We do not remember to have ever found fo much vivacity, and knowledge of man. kind, combined in an individual of Mr. S's age, and, at the fame time, fuch a variety of important matter concentrated within the compafs of a few sheets. His language is perfpicuous and energetic, and his fentiments are expreffed in a moft animated manner. Dr. A. H. NIEMEYER'S "Letters, addressed to the Profeffors of the Chriftian Religion," difplay much ingenuity and recondite learning, and ought to be ftudied by all thofe who wish to become more intimately acquainted with the prefent ftate of the two oppofite fyftems, Critical and Hiflorical Theology.' "The Manual, containing the Literature of B blical Criticifm and Exegefis," by E. F. K. ROSENMÜLLER, profeffor of the Arabic language, in the univerfity at Leipzig, is a laborious undertaking, inafmuch as the editor not merely points out every work belonging to biblical literature, but likewife ftates the defign of every author, in what degree he has attained it, and for what particular period and fubject his book has been, or is, ufeful. Among the inexhauftible stock of "Sermons," which appear in Germany, as well as in every other country, we fhall point out the latest and most popular. The Sermons on the prevailing

Errors

Vol. V.] Retrofpea of German Literature.-Polite Literature, &c. 321

Errors and Exigencies of the prefent Age," in one volume, octavo, by an anonymous author, are not only written in correct and beautiful language, but the fentiments do honor to the author. "Sermons," by G. W. C. STARKE, confift of feven of the beft in the German language, not inferior to those of the celebrated ZOLLIKOFER, whofe name ftands as high among his countrymen, as that of BLAIR in this country. Of V. C. VEILLODTER'S "Sermons on the Epifties of the Sundays and Holydays of the whole Year" we cannot fpeak with a fimilar degree of praife. "The Mufeum for Preachers," by I.R. G. BEYER, contains useful sketches of fermons, effays on important fubjects of theology, accounts of the ecclefiaftical conftitution in the proteftant and catholic parts of Germany, reviews of new books on divinity, &c.

POLITE LITERATURE.

Under this head, we meet with a very large catalogue of publications of various merit, from which we have felected the following:-F. MATHISSON'S " Poems" deferve the attention of every lover of rural poetry, as the author poffeffes peculiar powers of defcription, and is not only a happy painter of rural fcenes, but equally fuccefsful in delineating their effects upon the mind. That the Germans are fufceptible of the beauties contained in this little volume, is fufficiently obvious, from the circumftance that four double editions have been printed of it fince 1794, that is, of two different fizes. Mr. M. may be justly compared to the British THOMSON, whofe "Seafons" will be read as long as there fhall be admirers of the fimplicity of nature.Prof. NASSER, of Kiel, has just published the first volume of his "Lectures on the Hiftory of German Poetry," a work replete with judicious criticifin, and much interefting matter: the fecond volume of thefe lectures, the ingenious author propofes to publifh in September next.Alix, Countess of Toulouse, a Tragedy, in five Acts; with a Preface

on

the prefent chivalric Romances,' is better calculated to exhibit the refined tafte and juft fentiments of the author, than to convince us, that he has

Editions of Books in Germany do not ge

nerally exceed thofe of books in England. Of works of moderate fale, a fair edition is about 1000; works-of ftandard fale extend, in each edition, from 3, to 5,000; the established periodical works run from 3, to 6, and 8,000.

MONTHLY MAG. No. XXXIII.

bestowed due attention upon historical criticifm relative to heroic romances. "Outlines of the Theory of the Art of Acting, with an Analysis of the comic and tragic Parts of Shakspeare's Falstaf and Hamlet," abound with excellent remarks, and both characters are commented upon with uncommon critical fagacity. This pamphlet is confidered as an introduction to an elementary work, on this fubject, of greater extent: its author is understood to be the Chamberlain VON EINSIEDEL, of Weimar.-In the department of

NOVELS AND ROMANCES

we are obliged to be concife; for, as our
limits will not admit of any more than the
bare titles of the books, we have been at
fome pains of felecting the most popular
which have lately appeared: and, with a
view of affording the reader fome oppor-
tunity of afcertaining their relative va-
lue, we fhall place thofe of fuperior ex-
cellence at the head of the lift; though,
in respect to the whole of this retrospect,
the publications are to be confidered as
being above mediocrity; viz. "Family
Stories," by A. LAFONTAINE, vol. i.
pp. 509, vol. ii. pp. 495, vol. iii. pp. 494,
8vo. 1798; each volume embellished with
a plate and vignette. "The Calendar
of Romances," for the year 1798, with
fix plates, edited by K. REINHARD.
"Pocket-book, devoted to the Friends
of Mirth and Satire," edited by I. D.
FALK, pp. 323, pocket-fize, for the year
1798. Man, and the Heroes;" two
fatirical poems, by the fame author, 1798,
pp. 172, pocket-fize. "Julia Grünthal;"
with title-plates, and vignettes. "The
youngest Productions of his Mufe," by
A. V. KOTZEBUE, vol. vi. pp. 290, 8vo.
"The Hobgoblins, or fhort Narratives
from the Empire of Truth," by S. C.
WAGNER, part i. 24, and 400, pp. 8vo.
"The Quarry," a ftory, by the author
of Jacobina, PP. 334, 8vo. Are all
works of fingular merit.

EDUCATION

is now conducted in Germany upon a more rational plan than it was in the times of LEIBNITZ, WOLF, GOTTSCHED, and even GELLERT. Since "Pedagogical Lectures," by Prof. KANT, were firft delivered in the university of Königsberg, as a regular semes trial courfe, many excellent fyftematic treatifes have, from time to time, appeared, by various authors; the venerable founder of the Critical Syftem, however, has not yet published his own original ideas upon this important fubject. One 3 X

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Retrospect of Spanish Literature.

of the most valuable works, in the period of our retrospect, is "The Moral Sciences, à Book of Inftruction on Ethics, Religion, and Jurifprudence," by F. H. C. SCHWARZ, paftor in the Heffe Darmftadt dominions, part the firft. "The Catechifm of Reafon." "A complete Elementary Bock for Schools and Adults, defigned for the Improvement of the Heart and Understanding." Another more recent work of confiderable merit is "The Catechifm of the Moral Doctrine of Religion, confonant to the Principles of the Sacred Writ.".

MISCELLANIES.

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Under this head, we might fill feveral pages with the bare titles of the books which, within thefe few months, have appeared. For want of room, however, we muft proceed upon a fimilar plan, to that which we adopted in the article of Novels and Romances.' In the first clafs, we fhall mention: "The Attic Museum,' edited by C. M. WIELAND, of which no more than three numbers have yet appeared. "The Graces" (or, in German, Die Horen), by F. SCHILLER, of which a number has appeared every month, fince January, 1795. "Mifcellaneous Philofophical Effays, relative to Theology, Politics, Religion, and Morals," by L. H. JAKOB, profeffor of philofophy, at Halle. "The Göttingen Journal of Natural Hiftory, and Natural Philofophy," edited by J. F. GMELIN; and "The Leaves of Miscellaneous Contents," published at Oldenburg, fix volumes, 8vo. from the year 1786 to 1797. In the fecond clafs, we place the following: The Geographical, Statifical, and Hiftorical Magazine," edited by J. C. FABRI, profeffor of philofophy, three volumes, 8vo. "The Pocket-book, for the Lover of Nature and Gardening, for the Year 1798," with defigns, and other plates. "Tranfactions and Writings of

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the Hamburgh Society, for the Promotion of the Arts and useful Trades," four volumes, 8vo. with 17 plates, and double.indexes, from 1792 to 1797. "An Attempt towards a Syftematic Encyclopedia of the Sciences," by W. T. KRUG, doctor of philofophy, &c. part i. pp. 174, part ii. pp. 242, and part iii. is in the prefs. "The German Magazine," edited by Profeffor von EGGERS, in monthly numbers, fince the year 1793, containing feven fheets every month, with plates and Music,

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"An Addrefs to the Genius of the departing Century, relative to the Extirpation of the Small-pox" (a poem), 32 pp. 8vo. and "MAKROTHYMIA, or Effays on the Improvement of the Human Race," No. i. 208 pp. 8vo. In the third clafs, we enumerate the following works: "The Magazine devoted to the Friends of Natural Philofophy and Natural Hiftory," edited by C. E. WEIGEL, four volumes, 8vo. kimion, or a practical Effay on the actual Relation fubfifting between the Spirits of the Deceased and thofe of their living Friends," in two parts, by G. E. DEDEKIND; a whimsical production indeed! "Interefting Scenes, felected from the Htory of Mankind." "The Fruits of Reading," in two parts, alphabetically arranged (by Mr. M. DENIS); and "Rhapfodies," felected from the papers of a folitary philofopher, edited by K. L. M. MÜLLER.

We have thus explored the extensive regions of German literature. It is fuch a rapid glance, as is made by many modern travellers. The object, however, is perfectly NEW, and, doubtlefs, will be curious and interefting to the English obferver. In the future Supplements the article will be continued; and, as the fources of information will be multiplied, it may be expected to furnish additional gratification.

HALF-YEARLY RETROSPECT OF THE STATE OF

SPANISH LITERATURE,

DURING THE LAST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR 1797.

(To be continued in our future Supplements.)

UNI NDER the administration of the late premier, the Prince of Peace, while every branch of public and private wealth feverely fuffered in Spain, from the general ftagnation of navigation and trade;

while his public counfels were distracted by the overbearing influence of a foreign power, and the domeftic diffentions of the parties of Alcudia, Saavedra, Azzara, &c. and while a general difcontent prepared

and

Vol. V.1 Retrospect of Spanish Literature.-Theology, &c.

and foreboded the downfall of the envied favourite, LITERATURE alone flourished under his powerful protection. That, within fo fhort a period, theology fhould have divefted itself of monkish bigotry and prejudices, will hardly be expected, but in every other department of fcience and learning, ftronger and purer lights were rapidly diffufed throughout the country. The stock of medical and hiftorical knowledge was confiderably increafed; in the department of natural history, and of the arts, works were publifhed, which would do honour to a country in the very zenith of its profperity; and novels and romances, which, in our romantic era, fpread themselves with wild luxuriancy over the literary foil, kept within bounds, which circumstance bears an honourable teftimony to the profperous ftate of ufeful literature in Spain.

As vouchers for the truth of thefe remarks, we fhall lay before our readers the following felections from the Madrid-Gazette, which form a pretty correct table of the literary productions of Spain, within the laft fix months of the year 1797.

There being no critical work published in Spain, on the plan of the English and German reviews, this retrofpect forms rather a catalogue raifonné than a critical fynopfis, fuch as we have given of the literature of England and Germany.

THEOLOGY.

1. Efcuela del Salvador, c. The School of our Saviour, &c. Extracted from the works of Santa Teresa de Jefus, and other myftic authors.

2. Meditaciones fobre los Novifimos, repartidos por los Dias del Mes con la Regla por vivir bien, por el P. Pinamonte, &c. Meditations on the laft Things, adapted to the Days of the Month, with the Rule for living a virtuous Life, by Father Pinamonte, &c.

3. Difertacion de Difciplina eclefiaftica fobre la afiftencia de los Fieles à la Mifa Parroquial, y à oir la Explicacion del Evangelio de Boca de fu Parroco, por D. Domngó Ugena, Presbitero. A Differtation of Ecclefiaftical Difcipline, the Prefence of the Faithful at the Mefs, and to hear the Explanation of the Gofpel, from the Lips of their Curate, by D. Domingo Ugena, Prefbiter.

4. Prontuario practico de las Exequias Funerales, c. por el Dr. Antonio Civity Nadal. A practical Repofitory of Funeral Rites, &c. by Dr. Antonio Civit y Nadal.

5. El buen Soldado de Dios y del Rey, armado de un Catecismo, y feis platicas, que

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contienen fus principales Obligaciones efcrito, por el Padre Antonio Codorniu, &c. The good Soldier, armed with a Catechifm, and fix Difcourfes, containing his principal Duties, by F. Antonio Codorniu, &c. 6. Embriología facrada ó Tratado de la Obligacion, que tienen los Curas, Confefores, Médicos, Comadres y otras perfonas, de cooperar à la Salvacion de los Ninos que aun no ban nacido, &c. Sacred Embryology,' or a Treatife on the Duty of Curates, Confeffors, Phyficians, and Midwives, to cooperate for the Salvation of Children, yet unborn.

MEDICINE.

1. Tratados Médicos en dos tomos, &c. por el Dr. D. Antonio Mendal y Villalba, Academico de la Real Academia Medica Matritenfe, &c. Medical Tracts, in two volumes, &c. by Dr. Antonio Mendal y Villalba, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Phyfic, at Madrid, &c.

The author treats, first, on the inflammations of the throat, and the most proper and eafy means of curing them; fecondly, on the power of nature, and the most rational mode of curing all forts of diseases; and thirdly, on the medical ufe of the waters of Graena, which he analyzes, and points out the cafes, wherein they may be either ufeful or hurtful.

2. Pharmacopoeia Hifpana, editio altera; Regis juffu et impenfa. Matriti ex typo graphia Ibarriana, un tomo en 4to. The Spanish Difpenfatory, or Pharmacopoeia; the fecond edition; by the King's command, and at his expence, at Madrid; printed by Ibarro, 1 vol. 4to. fold by Martinez, ftreet de las Carretas.

The first edition of this Pharmacopeia, published in 1794, being entirely exhaufted, the Royal College of Phyficians caufed it to be reprinted, enriched with feveral improvements and additions, which have been printed feparately, for the accommodation of thofe who poffefs the first edition, and to whom they are delivered gratis by the above bookfellers.

3. Guia Veterinaria original: dividida en 4 tomos, &c. por D. Alonfo y D. Francifco de Rus Garcia. The original Guide to the Veterinary Art, divided into 4 vols. &c.

The authors treat on the principal dif cafes of cattle, expofe the errors committed in the cure of them, point out the most proper method for curing the different difeafes, and conclude with a table of veterinary aphorifms, for the ufe of the beginners in this art, and the owners of cattle.

4. Difertacion fifico.chímica, y Analyfis de las Aguas Minerales de la Villa de Albama 3 X 2

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